Jan., 1889. 
“THE NATURALIST IN NICARAGUA.” 
17 
“THE NATURALIST IN NICARAGUA.”* 
Every naturalist, and especially every naturalist who 
is an evolutionist, will give a cordial welcome to this 
exceptionally interesting volume, which is “a narrative of a 
residence at the gold mines of Cliontales; journeys in the 
Savannahs and forests; with observations on animals and 
plants in reference to the theory of evolution of living 
forms.” Originally published by Mr. Murray in the year 
1878, the popularity of the book soon exhausted the edition, 
and for many years it has become rare, and even disappeared 
from second-hand catalogues. If testimony other than that 
contained therein were wanting to its merits, the following 
eulogium, written by the illustrious Darwin in 1874, to his 
friend, Sir Joseph Hooker, is sufficient:—“Belt I have read, 
and I am delighted that you like it so much; it appears to 
me the best of all natural history journals which have ever 
been published.” Mr. Belt dwelt in Nicaragua for four and 
a half years—from February, 1868, to September, 1872—and 
this is a record of what he saw, and of the theories which 
subsequently arose thereon:—“Some thought out on the 
plains of Southern Australia; some during many a solitary 
sleigh drive over frozen lakes in North America; some on 
the wide ocean; and some, again, in the bowels of the earth 
when seeking for her hidden riches. The thoughts are those 
of a lifetime, compressed into a little book.” 
The occupation of the author, who had been previously 
well schooled as a member of the Tyneside Naturalists’ Field 
Club, and who had written many scientific papers in divers 
journals besides, was to superintend the mining operations of 
the Cliontales gold-mining company. His scientific observa¬ 
tions recorded in this volume were therefore—all honour to 
him—made in his hard-earned leisure. It is not stated 
whether he gained his fortune in his venture. Probably he 
did not. But he had another kind of wealth, surpassing the 
value of “gold and precious stones,” which kings themselves 
cannot command. He had the seeing eye and the hearing 
ear to read the great Book of Nature, and the power to 
interpret the truths which Nature only reveals to her diligent 
and trustful students. Alas! it is truly said in the preface, 
that “his sun went down while it was yet day,” for lie died 
at Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., from the effects of mountain 
fever, at the early age of 45. 
* “The Naturalist in Nicaragua,” by Thomas Belt, F.G.S., second 
edition, revised and corrected, with map and illustrations. London : 
Edward Bumpus. 1888. Grown 8vo, pp. i-lxix., 1-403. 
